Suricate

Introduction: The suricate (Suricata suricatta) is sometimes referred to by its Afrikaans name of meerkat, or ant cat, referring to its ant-eating diet and associated foraging by sifting sand and 'probing crevices'. They have long front claws, a rounded, broad head tapering to a short, sharp-pointed muzzle accentuated by dark circles around the eyes. Suricate generally avoid desert and dense bush but its presence in the Namib Desert can be accounted for by a tendency to burrow in dry river beds. Much is made of their social habits, which include a babysitting and feeding service: helpers remaining with the kittens, whilst others forage for food or keep sentry duty.

Distribution: Common through Namibia and does occur in the Namib Desert, but absent from the entire north-eastern region of the country.

Diet: Insects such as beetles, small Namibian reptiles (geckos), tubers and plant bulbs

Colouring: Body fur is brown-grey with some dark fringes on the back, with a slightly darker tail.

Breeding: Between 1 and 3 litters are produced annually depending on rainfall, peaking in January to March.

Size: Total length of 450-550mm

Tail: 200-240mm

Weight: 620-960g

Show-biz news: The Lion King, released in 1994 by Disney, featured a meerkat called Timon. The Clan of the Meerkats, a television series was created in 2005 and aired on Animal Planet. Other documentaries, adult novels and TV adverts followed.